Woman ‘burnt by in-laws’ dies in Nowshera

Uzma breathed her last on Wednesday after a 22-day battle for life

PESHAWAR: A woman who was allegedly set on fire by her husband and in-laws in Nowshera, died on Wednesday at the PIMS Hospital in Islamabad after a 22-day long battle for life.

Uzma, wife of Rahat Sher was doused with petrol and set on fire by her husband and in laws over a family dispute on December 18, 2016. She received serious burns and was shifted to Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar from Nowshera but due to non-availability of bed she was then taken to PIMS hospital in Islamabad.



"Uzma was burnt alive in front of her four kids, but her life could be saved if they took her to the hospital on time," said Sameenullah, the victim's uncle. He told The Express Tribune that Uzma had accused eight people in her statement but all of them are still roaming free as the local court granted them pre-arrest bail.

When contacted, DPO Nowshera said the case is in court and the accused will be arrested after pre-arrest bail orders expire. He added that police were at the mercy of the court as despite raiding the area, they could not proceed.

According to the DPO, the court will decide whether the accused will be arrested on January 19.



Taimor Kamal, a human rights activist, who was at the hospital during Uzma's treatment told The Express Tribune that the kids, who remained with Sher's family, were handed over to her brother after they asked AzaKhel police Station for their custody as she kept worrying about them in the hospital.

Uzma was buried at her ancestral village, Dag-e- Jadeed.